Question:
How do those college age people that have had the surgery deal with .... ?

   — [Anonymous] (posted on October 25, 2001)

October 25, 2001
I can't share anything about the cafeteria food (sounds scarey and something I would have enjoyed a year ago) but I can share about going out for cocktails- I drink a fruit flavored rum or vodka with diet 7up or chged water in a tall glass. From my experience 2 are plenty plenty enough for me. On occasion I will drink a light beer when I go out with friends. The alcohol does effect me quicker and more intensely compared to before, I like that because it's still a night out and it's cheap! I also don't have to be ordering munchies all night because they are there. $10.00 for a night out with friends and that includes the tip is just fine with me, leaves more money for the new smaller clothes I've been buying :o).
   — [Anonymous]

October 25, 2001
i haven't been in college for years and years. But, if memory serves me, the caf always had veggies, soup, sandwiches etc. You have to give some thought to what you are going to eat; but, you shouldn't have any problems. Like if the main meal is fried chicken, french fries and salad....you can take the skin off the chicken and have the salad and a fruit. If they serve meatloaf... just tell them to "hold the gravy" and ask for two veggies instead of potatoes. Ditto for eating out with friends. Presumably, they already know you are fat...so...even if you don't disclose the surgery they'll assume you are dieting. As for alcohol. That's a problem for all my rny friends. The problem is that the alcohol doesn't sit in your stomach too long. It goes straight to your head and you get very, very drunk...very, very quickly. I've given it up completely. It's just not worth the bother. One drink and I'm "dancing on tables". Two of my friends stick to light beer and slowly nurse the one bottle all night long...just to feel like part of the crowd....and to avoid the "why aren't you drinking tonight?" questions.
   — [Anonymous]

October 25, 2001
Although I am not in college, I also worried about going out to eat with friends. I didn't tell people I had the surgery, and was concerned that they would ask lots of questions when they saw how little I was eating. I shouldn't have worried. No one noticed at all when I only ate two bites of my lunch. No one says a word when I don't order an alchoholic drink at dinner. I guess they figure I am just dieting...or...what is more likely, they are really just concerned about what is on their own plates and don't really notice mine. Don't let peer pressure be an excuse for eating wrong or drinking alchoholic beverages. Take good care of yourself and your friends will respect that and (most likely) not bug you.
   — Anne G.

October 25, 2001
Well, I am away at school, and while I don't HAVE to eat in the cafeteria, I often do. They have lots of alternatives and you just have to choose carefully. Make certain you get your protein in first. There are usually low fat protein choices available if you look. Also, stay away from the grill area with the burgers and fries and pizza. You can eat well in the cafeteria if you focus on what's important. Also, when it comes to going out with friends, I still go to "happy hour" every Friday with a group of friends, and although I will *occasionally* have a beer, or even two, most of the time I stick with water or diet soda. No one in my group even cares what you drink. It's no biggie, even when the waitress comes to talk about the drink specials. I think if you remember to focus on the "social" part of your social life, (talking with friends, having a good time) it won't matter if you drink or not. BTW, I didn't have any alcohol for at least 6 months post op. I only recently began to have a drink now and then. Good luck, you'll figure it out.
   — Maria H.

October 26, 2001
Although, now I commute to school, I know before that we were required to be on a meal plan if we lived on campus. However, if one had a doctor's note, you could get out of this. Perhaps this might be an option for you. Get one of those mini-fridge's for your room, and stock it up with good healthy food. I bet it would save money too, as you wouldn't eat nearly enough on the mealplan post-op to justify the price, whereas if you had your own firdge and could monitor food and adjust supply to your personal demand, things would be better healthwise and economically! :) Good Luck!
   — Deborah W.

October 29, 2001
Hi all! I am the original poster. Thank you for your answers... I am just now starting to research this (I think I've decided that this would be a wonderful thing for me) and I have been rather concerned with this interferring with school and social life. You've put my mind at ease :)
   — [Anonymous]

January 21, 2004
Its been relatively easy for me to deal with eating. I don't eat in the dining hall at all. The food is not at all healthy for those who have undergone the surgery. I simply purchase my food from the nearby grocery store. In addition when I go out to dinner I order something as close to carb free as possible. Whatever is left over is taken home to be had either the next day or for the next meal. It is simply an exercise of will power. You knew the restrictions before the surgery and you need to follow directions it is difficult but hang in there.
   — Dara M.

August 26, 2005
I have been a college student the entire time since before and after I had my gastric bypass. Eatting at the cafeteria wants that big of a problem, since I lived off campus. I was still mainly responsible for my own food shopping, and what I ate. But like everybody else said, most cafeterias have like a salad bar, or various cereal and fresh fruit, or soup choices. I remember it is also important to pick low fat, high protein choices, and fill up on them before anything else. As for going out with friends, it was never much of a problem. Most resturants serve such large portions in the first place, most folks dont eat all what they order and everybody has left overs. Also I have used my resturant card to order off the childrens menu, or get 1/2 an entree at 1/2 the price. Or just ordering off the appetizer menu. There are several possibilities. When it comes to alcholic beverages, I know it takes A LOT less to get me tipsy, so, I dont drink more then two drinks at a time. Plus the drinks I like, tend to have a lot of sugar. It is best to avoid carbonated drinks, and that includes beer, but it you happen to like that sort of thing, one or two, every now and then, shouldnt hurt you too much. Just do your best to be responsible, and take care not to eat too much.
   — Cora Elizabeth W.